Shock Reducing Helmet

Abstract

A shock reducing helmet includes a helmet body made of an outer and inner shell, ear openings, and face shield or visor that connects flush to the helmet body.The outer shell is formed from the strongest and lightest weight materials, such as polycarbonate, or other plastics, Kevlar, carbon fiber, or metal, to provide a high strength to weight ratio and minimize fracture.The inner chamber includes shock absorbing structures made from materials such as a nickel-titanium shape-memory alloy, polycarbonate, other plastics, Kevlar, carbon fiber, or metal. Some variants have a viscous or gaseous layer around the springs to increase stability upon linear and rotational impact.The face shield or visor is made of a clear polycarbonate that connects flush with the outer shell to eliminate visibility interference and rotational injuries caused by competitors pulling the metal bars commonly present in football helmets.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 565,079 for a “Shock Reducing Sports Helmet,” filed Sep. 28, 2017, and currently co-pending, and to the U.S.[0002]Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 730,793 for a “Shock Reducing Helmet,” filed Sep. 13, 2018, and currently co-pending, both of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention pertains generally to protective equipment for use in potentially dangerous activities. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a shock reducing helmet. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a sports helmet worn on an athlete's head to reduce the impact and shock experienced by the user.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]For more than forty years, football helmets have retained a basic design of a plastic outer shell, interior padding, and metal bars that extend from the outer shell. R...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is about a new type of helmet that reduces shocks during impact. It has a unique structure made up of two subcomponents: an elastic and a viscous one. This structure mimics the structure of a human or animal skull, with the external part being rigid and the internal part being elastic. The helmet can be used for a variety of activities that require protection from both linear and rotational impacts.

Problems solved by technology

Recently, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) recognized that current helmet designs fail to account for significant rotational forces football players routinely encounter.

This problem has been partially solved by increased padding to minimize the force of impact by decreasing the acceleration, but this increased padding only protects against linear impact, not rotational impact.

Another problem with current helmet designs is the existence of a metal face guard that can be pulled or knocked by other players leading to rotational injuries.

The metal bars can also interfere with visual fields.

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